APPLETON - The public can get a better look at the proposal from Commercial Horizons for a new library within a mixed-use downtown property at an open house on March 15.

The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Appleton Public Library. Doors open at 6 p.m. and Mayor Tim Hanna and Commercial Horizons leaders will begin a presentation at 6:30 p.m. Questions will follow the presentation.

The proposal debuted in February and would place the mixed-use property on the site of the aging Soldier Square parking ramp. Four other developers submitted seven other proposals for a new library in a mixed-use building.

The proposed development was submitted by Commercial Horizons of Appleton. It would be built in phases and add $66.3 million in tax base.

Appleton's investment in the project is estimated to reach at least $56.6 million — $29.8 million for the library and $26.8 million for a parking ramp. The total doesn't include additional costs to finish the interior of the library, some of which could be covered by private fundraising.

The Soldiers Square ramp, which is owned by the YMCA, was already budgeted for demolition and relocation in 2018 and 2019 for $4.25 million.

Commercial Horizons was one of five developers to present library proposals to the city. The selected option was ranked the highest of eight proposals evaluated by city staff. Commercial Horizons also had the No. 2-ranked proposal.

The proposals ranked Nos. 3 to 6 estimated the cost of a new library between $37 million and $45.2 million and showed a lower potential for additional tax base.